Electric switch.



l. H. SPURRIER.

ELECTRIC SWITCHy APPLlc/mon min ocr. 2o. |915.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET l.

1. R. SPURRIER.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 20. 1915.

1 ,275,098. Patented Aug. 6, 1918,v

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

J. R. SPURRIER.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED ocT. 2o. I9I5.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918 4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

KO QQ 1. R. SPUBRIER.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

APPLICATION FILED oc. 20. I9I5.

Patented Aug. 6, 1918 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

IIIIIIIII UNITED STATES PATENT OEE-ICE.

JOHN E. SPURRIER, or BETHLEHEM, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIeNOa To ROLLER-SMITH COMPANY, A CORPORATION or NEW YORK.

ELECTRIC SWITCH'.

Specication Of Letters Patent.

` Patented Aug. 6, 1918.

Application led October 20, 1915. Serial No. 56,833.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN R. SPURRIER, a cltizen of the United States, residing vat Bethlehem, in the county of Lehigh and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Switches, of which the ollowingis a full, clear, and exact specification.

This application relates to improvements 1n circuit breakers, and particularly to that class of circuit breakers which are automatically openable in the presence of abnormal conditions, even during the time when the operator attempts to manually close the breaker. My invention also relates toan improved construction of circuit breakers of this type having a plurality of switch members which are simultaneously closed and which are simultaneously opened upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition in any one of the several circuits controlled.

Among the objects of my invention are the attainment of simplicity in construction, durability in operation, certainty of operation and Aconvenience in closing or opening the breaker by the operator in this type of circuit breaker. Another 'object is the provision of a breaker of this type which will occupy small lateral space and be pleasing in appearance. Other objects and advantages of my invention will be understood from the following description and accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of'circuit breaker embodying my invention, showing the breaker partly closed. Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of certain'of the parts when the breaker is in open position. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of certain of the parts when the breaker is in nearly closed position. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the same parts as in Fig. 4 when the breaker is in fully closed position, Figs. 4 and 5 showing the side elevations on the opposite-side of the breaker from those shown in Figs. 1 and 3. Fig. 6 is a front elevation of a breaker embodying my invention having multiple switches, and in open position, certain parts being broken away. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the same, partly in section, and 8 is a detail view of certain elements.

'Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, the breaker'is shown' mounted upon a base 1. The stationary terminal of the breaker is shown made up ofea laminated brush cont-act 2 havlng a stiff outerl leaf 3 which projects beyond the other leaves of the brush and,

spring pressed outwardly by the spring 4. This Acontact is also provided with a yield- -ably mounted carbon shunt contact 5 as shown, all of these parts being secured to the base by-a bolt `(i which also serves to conduct the current to or from this stationary contact through the switch-board to the conducting mains. f The current is conducted to or from the movable element of the breaker through the bolt 7, which supports4 and makes electrical connection with the lower end 8 of a conducting copper ribbon which passes upwardly and forms a spool 9, the inner end of the coppe-r ribbon forming the spool being connected to a square core piece 10, which is preferably of soft iron or steel. Also electrically connected to the core piece 10 are two conducting side plates 11, which in turn carry a U-shaped conducting part 12, which serves as the movable contact of the breaker and'is adapted to engage the laminated stationary Contact 2-3 whenthe breaker is closed as indicated in Fig. 1. The

upper end of the conductingl part 12 rigidly supports the carbon shunt contact 13 which engages the shunt contact 5 when the breaker is closed.V The core piece 10 is pivotally supported on the shaft 14, which shaft is supported at its opposite ends by two side frames. 15, 16, which in turn are mounted upon the base 1.

The element which serves to close the breaker is made up of two side pieces 17, 18, which are pivotally mounted upon the shaft 19, which latter is supported in upwardly extending ends of the side frames 15, 16. The inner ends ofthe side pieces 17, 18 carry a pivotally mounted'roller 20, which in turn engages another roller 21 on the shaft 22, the ends of which shaft are snpported in the two side pieces 11, above described. In open position oi the breaker, the roller 20 is considerably below its pivotal support 19 as shown in Fig. 3 and the movable switch ela.- ;rnent of the breaker is forced outwardly by gravity and by a spring 21 on each side of the spool 9 so that the roller 21 is forced against the roller 20 to the position shown in Fig. 3. Further outward position of the roller 21 from that shown in Fig. 3 is prevented by lugs 22 formed on each of the side pieces 17 18, because of their engagement with the side frames 15, 16, as shown in Fig. 3. `When the breaker is to be closed, the closing element, comprising side pieces 17, 18 and roller 20, is rotated about the shaft 19, so that the roller 20 engages the roller 21 by rollin contact and consequently gradually forces t e movable switch element toward the stationary contact. The circuit is first closed by shunt Contact 13 engaging shunt contact 5. This contact by reason of its yieldable support next permits the contact element 12 to engage the secondary leaf contact 3, the parts then occupying the position shown in Fig. 1. Continued rotation of the closing element will finally force the breaker to fully closed position at which time the movable contactv element 12 is forced against all of the edges of the laminated brush 2, thus giving full contact of all conducting parts. In fully closed position the axis of roller 20 is slightly above the plane passing through the axis of roller 21 and the axis of the pivotal support of the closing element, which is the aXis of shaft 19. This fully closed position of these parts is shown in Fig. 5. Movement of the roller 20 above the position lshown in Fig. 5 is prevented by the adjustable screw 23, which is carried by a lug 24 extending from the side piece 18 of the closing element, the` screw 23 impinging upon the side frame 16, as shown in Fig. 5, and so preventing further rotation of the closing element or fur-` ther upward movement of roller 20 beyond that shown in Fig. 5. The closing element thus in itself serves as the means for locking the breaker closed, and consequently no latch or other means is necessary for locking the breaker closed and no such parts are provided in my preferred construction.

The manual control of the closing element of the breaker is eHected by an operating handle 25, the inner end 26 of which is pivoted upon the shaft 19 being spaced from the side pieces 17, 18 of the closing element by spacing sleevesl 27, 27 as shown in Fig. 2. livotally mounted upon the arm of the operating lever upon the shaft 28 is a pawl which has two upwardly extending parts 29, which embrace the arm of the operating lever on each side thereof respectively, so as to be pivotally supported on the shaft 28, on both sides of the arm. Each side of the pawl has an inwardly projecting extension or tongue 30, each of which separately engages an abutment. carried on the inside of each of the side pieces 17, 18 of the closing element.

In the vfornl of construction side piece of the closing element, so as to permit each of the rollers 31 to be freely rotatable upon its respective stud shaft. for

,the purpose of reducing friction of the parts.

The pawl also has an upward extension 33 on each side of the arm of the operating handle and which is adapted to abutagainst a cross piece 34 of the operating lever. It also has a downwardly extending part 35 and is so weighted that when the parts of the breaker are in open position and when the handle 25 is raised upwardly about its pivot, gravity will cause the pawl to swing on its pivotal support 28 so that the tongues 30 will be thrown into engagement withI the rollers 31. In Fig. 3, all parts are shown in fully open position and the handle 25 is shown dropped to its lowest position and having no operative connection with the above described closing element of the breaker. When the handle 25'is raised from the position shown in Fig. 3 upwardly about the pivot 19 to` the dotted line position, the pawl will swing by gravity about its pivot 28 causing the abutments 33 to come against the cross piece 34, and causing the eXtensions 30 each to engage its respective roller 31 as shown in dotted line position in Fig. 3. Instead of gravity causing the pawl to occupy this position, it is obvious that a ing lever moving about thc pivot 19. By

reason iof the extensions 30 engaging the rollers 31 and the extensions 33 abutting against the cross piece 34, the pawl during this movement will force the rollers 31 and consequently force the closing element of the breaker, comprising the'side pieces 17, 18, about the pivot 19 and consequently cause the roller 20 to be moved to the right and upwardly from the position shown in Fig. 3. If the movement is continued the parts will assume the position shown, in Fig. 1 showing the partially. closed position, and further movement of the operating handle 25 will cause the breaker to be fully closed and finallv held in closed position by thev breaker by operating the handle, I provide automatic means for .breaking the pawl engagement between the operating handle and the closing element of the breaker. For this purpose I provide an armature 36 which is pivoted to the two side frames 15, 16 by a bolt or 'shaft 37. The amature 36 is U-shaped having its two arms extended downwardly and approaching the iron core piecev 10, one arm being located on each side of the breaker within the side frames 15, 16, as well shown in Figs.' 1 Iand 2. The upper ends of the arms are united by a cross portion. This armature completes the magnetic circuit of the magnetism created by the passage of current through the spool 9, by conducting the magnetic fiux from one end of the core piece 10 around' to the opposite end, gaps .being located between the l ends of the amature 36 and the ends of the core piece 10. Fastened to one side of the armature 36 is a plate 38 shown partly in full lines and partly in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3, and in full lines in Fig. 2. The lower 'edge of the outer end of this plate 38 is shown as having notches 39. Upon one side of the extension 35 of the pawl is locatedv V-a pin 40. On the opposite side of the armature 36 from that carrying the plate 38 is `an extension 41. Thisv extension is adapted to engage under certain conditions a downwardly extending projection 42 on the side piece 18 of the closing element.

Under normal conditions the lower ends of the armature 36 are some distance'below the ends of the core piece 10, and in its lowest position abu'ts against the end of the adjustable screw 43 carried in a lug-extending inwardly from the side frame 15 as well shown in Fig. 2. By adjusting the screw 43, the ,overload current through the breaker which may be caused to attract and raise the lower ends of the armature 36 may be predetermined for any desired minimum overload current. The armature 36 also has an extension 44 which is adapted to pass over the outer edge of the side frame 16 which serves as a Calibrating scale as indicated in Fig. 2. By adjustment of the screw 43, the extension 44 may be brought to any desired position with respect to thev scale of amperage for which `the breaker is calibrated.

Assuming the breaker tov be open and the position of parts as shown in full lines in Fig. 3, then in order to close the breaker, the handle 25 is raised u wardly until the projections 30.01 the paw impinge against the rollers 31. The handle is then pulled downwardly which results in rotating the closing element and in causing the movable contact arm of the breaker to be moved to fully closed position as above described. If,

however, during this closing movement an 'overload current exists, then before the breaker is fully closed, which condition is indicated in Fig. 1, the'excessive currentwhich is passed through the circuit breaker will cause thek armature 36 to be attracted and bring one of the notches 39 against the pin 40 causing the pawl to be turned about fits pivot and the projections 30 `to vbe thrown out of contact with the rollers 31.

Thisvaction breaks the thrust lconnection between the closing 'element and the operating lever and permits the movable contact element of the ,breaker to be immediately thrown to open position by pressure of the spring cont-acts, and by pressure of the springs 21 and by force of gravity. This results in yturning the closing element about its pivot 19 to the position shown in Fig. 3. n order to attempt to close the breaker again, the handle 25 must again be raised l so that the pawl parts v30 will again engage the rollers 31 in order to secure an operating connection between the handle and the closing element of the breaker. If the overtion is illustrated in Fig. 1, and in other instances the closing movement may be carried still farther before the releasing action occurs. Thus in some cases during the closing movement the armature 36 may be attracted so quickly that the pin 40 will sometimes 'engage the first notch 39 as shown in Fig. 1, and in other cases the attraction may not occur until the breaker has been more vfully closed, in which case the pin 40 4will engage the next vnotch 39. Additional notches may of course be provided if desired. In some instances the engaging surface of the plate 38 with the pin 40 may be of such shape and the parts in such relation` ship that the notches 39 will be unnecessary, but in the form of construction shown I preferably provide these notches in order to prevent the magnetic attraction of the armature from being overcome by the closing force of the operator and instead of causing the pawl 30 to be forced out, might result in the magnetic force of attractlon of the armature being overcome and forcing the armature to a position farther away from the core piece 10. With the provision of the notches, however, it will be seen tha.' the leverage tending to throw the paw] out of engagement with the rollers 31 is greatly increased. Thus, it will be evident from the position shown in Fig. 1 that exertion of any material pressure upon the Ahandle 25 in a direction to close the breaker will assist the unlocking of the parts by reason of the pin 40 bein forced against the wall of one of the notc es 39, and the force of attraction of the amature 36 isnot so directly opposed. In some cases the releasing action may be caused to take place by reason of the armature being attracted before the pin 40 reaches the outer edge of the plate 38 in which case when the pin strikes the outer edge, the breaking of the pawl connection would be accomplished solely by the operator continuing downward pressure upon the handle 25.

Thus, it will be understood that under any overload or dangerous condition of the circuit, 'it is impossible for the operator to hold the breaker closed, or to succeed in effecting the complete closure of the breaker under such a condition. If no overload or abnormal condition exists and the-breaker is fully closed, then when an overload or abnormal condition afterward does exist, the breaker will not be opened by merely breaking the pawl connection, but the projection 41 shown on the opposite side of the breaker will then be brought into engagement, by the attraction of the armature, with the extension 42 from the side piece 18 of the closing element. This will result in forcing the roller 20 downwardly and thus free the movable contact arm, permitting it to be thrown to open position. Thus it will be seen that at any time during the closing action or after the breaker is closed, the occurrence of an overload current will result in automatically opening the breaker, even though the operator should attempt to hold the breaker closed. The breaker may be opened .manually from closed position by merely raising the handle 25, the pin or rod 28 belngl extended sidewise as shown in Fig. 2 su ciently to reach under the outer end 45 of the side piece 17 of the closing element. Thus, it will be seen from Fig. 1 that an upward movement of the handle 25 would cause the rod 28 tostrike against the end 45 and throw the roller 20 downwardly and thus permit the breaker tol bethrown to open position.

Referring now to Figs. 6, 7 and 8, the construction of many parts 'is the same or similar to the construction already described, corresponding parts being given the same reference numerals. This circuit breaker comprises three switch elements, each of the three switches comprising fixed contacts and movable contacts as" above described and adapted to be connected in a three phase circuit or' in any articular circuit connections as may be esired. Each geraete of the three switches has its respective controlling coil 9 vand movable armature 36. 0n the passage ofabnormal currentthrough any one of the controlling coils 9 the correspending armature will be attracted andextending between each of the supporting.

side frames 15, 16, as in the construction of Figs. 1 to 5. Each U-shaped element also carries a roller 20 engaging a'corresponding roller 21 as in the construction previously described. When the bar 50 is moved downwardly, all three of the movable switch elments will be moved to" closed position simultaneously. y

Movement' of the multiple circuit breaker to closed position is accomplished by a handle 25 connected to an insulating cross bar 52. This bar has connected to it three elements 26, each of which are pivoted 'respectively upon its shaft 19. Each element 26 has pivoted to it on a shaft 28 a pawl as in the previously described construction, the

form shown in Figs. 6 to 8 having tongues 30', weighted dependin parts 35 and upward extensions 33. he tongues 30" are adapted to engage abutments or rollers, 31 carried on the side frames 17 18', when the handle 25 is raised so as to secure an operative closing connection between the'handle of the breaker and the closing element, in the manner previously described. All three of the pawls are mechanically connected together by rods 53, and insulating couplings 54. In view of this mechanical coupling of the arts, it is necessary for only one of the paw s to be provided with tongues 30 for engaging abutments or rollers 31. In the construction illustrated, the two outer parts of the breaker are shown without the rollers 31. The extensions 33 abut against pins 28 on the elements 26 when lthe parts are in operative closing connection. The depending portion of each pawl is provided with a pin 40, each pin being adapted to be engaged by the edge of extension 38 from its respective armature 36. Each of the side frames 17 of the closing element is provided with an extension carrying a roller 23', each of which abuts against the supporting side frame 15 when the breaker is m closed position, thus limiting the movement posite direction is limited by the lugs 22 engaging the supporting side frames 15', as in the previously described construction. Each of the sideframes 18 of the closing element of the breaker has an extension 42 and when the breaker is in closed position, the end of each extension 42 comes into proximity to an extension 411 on its respective armature, so that when the breaker is in fully closed position, the upward movement of any one armature will cause its extension 41 to engage the end of extension 42 and pry the breaker open from its closed position.

In the closing operation of the multiple breaker, the handle is raised from the position shown in Fig. 7 ,until the handle element is coupled to the closing element by the tongues 30 engaging the abutments or rollers 31. The handle is then forced downwardly, which causes the closing element to simultaneously move all three switch elements toward closed position. If during the closing action, an abnormal condition exists in any one of the circuits, the corresponding armature will be attracted and by engagement with its corresponding pin 40 will result in turning the mechanically coupled parts illustrated in Fig. 8 and thereby break the connection with the closing element, and will permit all three movable switch elements to simultaneously move to open position, giving an automatic release from the handle even though the operator" continues to force the handle to the downward position. The breaker can be again closed by the operator raising the handle so as to give an operative closing connection. If an overload occurs onany one of the circuits when the breaker is in fully closed position, then the attraction of its corresponding armature will cause its eX- tension 41 to engage its respective extension 42 and move the entire closing element so that the three rollers 20 are movedV downwardly below the rollers 21 and thus simultaneously permit all three switch elements to be moved to open position. Thus, automatic protection is secured at all times and Asimultaneous operation of the plurality of switch elements is secured when an abnormal condition exists in any one or more of the several circuits controlled. The

VVbreaker mav be opened manually at any time Having thus described my invention, what I declare as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is p l 1. An electric switch comprising a movable switch element, a pivoted element for moving said switch element to closed position. a hand lever, disengageable operating means between said lever and said pivoted element operable in one direction for lcausing the closing of said switch element by the movement of said lever in ont` direction, and means ,whereby said nivoted elementinay be engaged directly by saidiv hand lever by movement of said lever in the opposite direction to cause the opening of said switch element.

2. An electric switch comprising a movable switch element biased to open position, a. pivoted element engaging said switch element for moving said switch element toclosed position, an actuating lever, disengageable -means for coupling said lever to said pivotedelenient for producing an operative connection for causing the closure of said switch element by movement of said lever in one direction, and means whereby movement of said lever in the opposite direction causes it to directly engage said .pivoted element and cause the opening of said switch element. y

3. An electric -switch comprising a movable switch element, an operating handle,

.an element disconnected from said switch element for moving said switch element to closed oosition and holding said switch element closed by an overset locking position of said second named element, means for disengageably coupling said handle to said second named element, and electro-magnetic means for breaking the coupling between said handle and said second named element.

4. An electric switch comprising a movable switch element, a movable device disconnected from said element and for moving said element to closed position by pressure against said element and holding said switch element closed by an overset locking position of said second namedelement, an actuating lever, means for d lisengageably coupling said lever to said device, and electro-iiiagnetic means for breaking the coupling between said lever and said device.

5. An electric switch comprising a movable switch element, a device disconnected from said clement for moving said element to closed position" and for also serving to lock said element in closed position, an

actuating lever, disengageable means for coupling said lever to said device for producing an operative connection for causing the closure of said element 'by movement of said lever, and automatic means for uncoupliiig said means. l

6. An electric switch comprising a movv locking said element in closed position by an overset position of said device, an actuating lever, disengageable means for coupling said lever to said device for producing an operative connection for causing the closure of said element, and electromagnetic means for uncoupling said disengageable means and for moving said device to unlock said element from its closed position.

.8. A circuit breaker comprising a movable switch element, a device for moving said element to closed position and for also locking said element in closed position, an actuating lever, disengageable means for coupling said lever to said device, and electro-magnetic means for uncoupling said lever from said device during the closing movement upon the occurrence of an abnormal condition and for unlocking said element after said breaker has been closed.

9. A circuit breaker comprising a movable switch element, an actuating lever, disengageable means for producing an operative connectionfbetween said lever and said element for moving said element to closed posi` tion, a controlling winding, and an armature having a series .0f notches adapted to be engaged by said disengageable means for uncoupling lsaid means.

10. A circuit breaker comprising a pivoted'switch-element, a roller carried thereby, a pivoted device having a roller adapted to engage the rollercarried by said element for moving the latter to closed position and to lock the same in closed position by an overset position, an actuating lever, a pawl for coupling said lever and said device together, and electro-magnetic means for disengaging said pawl during the closing movement of the breaker and for unlocking the breaker from its closed position upon occurrence of an abnormal condition.

11. A circuit breaker comprising a support having two side -frames, a movable switch element pivoted between said frames, a device r'for moving said element to closed position and for locking said element in closed position also pivoted between the said side frames, an actuating lever pivoted between Said side frames, a pawl for coupling said lever to said device, and electro-magnetic means for, disenga'ging' said pawl during the closing movement of the breaker and abnormal current in any one of the circuits controlled by said switch elements during the closure of the circuit breaker and for also causing the opening of said switch elements after the circuit breaker has been fully closed.

13. A circuit breaker comprising a plurality of pivoted switch elements, a single device for forcing to and also locking said elements in closed position, a handle, disengageable means connecting said handle with said device, and means automaticallyresponsive to an abnormal current'in any one of the circuits controlled by said elements for uncoupling said handle from said device during the closing movement of the breaker and Afor forcing said device from locking position to simultaneously open said elements upon the occurrence of an abnormal current in any one of said circuits after the breaker has been fully closed.

14. A circuit breaker comprising a plurality of pivoted switch elements, .an element for simultaneously forcing said elements to closed position, an actuating lever and handle, disengaglg'eable means between said lever and said element for securing an operative connection for closing said switch elements by the movement of the handle in one direction and for causing the opening of the breaker by direct engagement of said lever with said element by movement of said handle in the. opposite direction, and means for automatica] y disengaging said disengageable means during the closing movement of the breaker for causing simultaneous movement of said switch elements to open position upon the occurrence of an abnormal current in any one of the circuits controlled by said switch elements.

15. A circuit breaker comprising a plu-` rality of movable Switch elements, 'a pivoted device for simultaneously moving said elements to closed position, and for locking said elements in closed position by an overset position of said device, a pivoted handle, a pawl for securing an operative connection between said handle and Said device during closing movement of the breaker, a plurality of electromagnetic devices corresponding respectively with the circuits controlled by said switch elements, and means acted upon by each of said electromagnetic devices for disengaging said pawl during the closing movement of the breaker upon the occurrence of abnormal current in any one of said circuits and for forcing said pvoted device from locking position after the breaker has been fully closed upon the occurrence of an abnormal current in any one of said circuits. 10

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN R. SPURRIER. Witnesses:

ELLEN G. MURPHY, R. S. TAYLOR. 

